YouTube megastar–turned–filmmaker Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) is ready to take his first big swing at the box office with his blood-soaked sci-fi horror film Iron Lung, set to hit theaters in January 2026.
The internet creator, best known for his wildly popular gaming videos and massive online following, is taking the independent route—writing, directing, producing, editing, and even financing the movie himself. And true to his rebellious streak, Markiplier is bypassing the major studios entirely to debut his film in independent theaters across the U.S.
According to Variety, Iron Lung will premiere in 50 to 100 indie cinemas between January 30 and February 1, 2026, including a high-profile opening at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets officially went on sale in December 2025, and the LA premiere drew a packed crowd of fans eager to see Markiplier’s jump from YouTube to Hollywood.
Based on the cult-favorite horror video game, Iron Lung takes place in a world where “the stars are gone, the planets have disappeared,” leaving a convict trapped inside a blood-filled submarine on a desolate moon. The creator told Variety the film “holds the world record for most blood in a horror movie—or any movie, for that matter.”
Markiplier hasn’t revealed whether Iron Lung will hit streaming platforms after its theatrical run, but given his track record of doing things his own way, fans might be waiting a while before it lands online. For now, he’s focused on giving his massive fanbase an old-school cinematic experience—with plenty of gore to spare.
